Monday, December 21, 2015

If you're a fan of stop-motion animation, then you'll love this fabulous exhibit currently on display at ArcLight Hollywood for the unique new comedy drama, Anomalisa.

Anomalisa stop-motion animation exhibit at ArcLight Hollywood

This cool collection of puppets and sets from the animated movie directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson were photographed in the cinema's foyer on December 18, 2015.

The Fregoli hotel reception set from Anomalisa

This animated movie is based on the play written by Charlie Kaufman under the pseudonym Francis Fregoli, which is probably why this hotel reception set is 'The Fregoli'.

Hotel bar set and stop-motion puppets from Anomalisa

David Thewlis voices the main character of 'Michael Stone', an expert author of customer service books who struggles with the inability to connect to people, until one night on a business trip he meets a stranger (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh) who changes his negative, desensitised outlook on life.

Stop-motion animation house set from Anomalisa

Apparently the film was primarily funded via Kickstarter and the puppets were created with 3D printers.

It's always amazing to see stop-motion animation puppets and sets up close, all the details like the wood flooring, their miniature tailored clothes, the little martini glass and the bottles on the shelves of the hotel bar, so cool.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

After last night's World Premiere in Hollywood, the excitement is at fever pitch for the box office release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I have my tickets for Friday (and Sunday), but seeing these cool 'Captain Phasma' and First Order Stormtrooper costumes on display at ArcLight Hollywood today makes me want to see the movie now.

Original Stormtrooper costumes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I've previously seen these costumes on display at this year's Disney D23 Expo out of their reflective display cases, but they were on raised platforms, so seeing them this close is a real treat and under this natural lighting you can also see the detail of the armour more.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie billboard

Michael Kaplan was charged with revamping the iconic look of Star Wars Stormtroopers and who'd have thought giving Gwendoline Christie's Captain Phasma armour a reflective chrome sheen and cape would make it the classic design look so exciting and menacing.

Captain Phasma costume worn by Gwendoline Christie

in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

In addition to seeing this costume at ground level and in different lighting, this exhibit also sports Phasma's blaster, which I'm sure fans will love seeing.

First Order Stormtrooper costume

from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Meanwhile, there were probably hundreds of First Order Stormtrooper costumes manufactured for the new movie, but that doesn't make it any less cool to see up close and in person (and putting behind a display case makes it even more tantalising don't you think).

Monday, December 7, 2015

With Jenna Coleman's 'Clara Oswald' getting a spectacular and distinctly Doctor Who send off this past weekend and Peter Capaldi soon to star opposite his wife 'River Song' in the 2015 Christmas Special, I thought it would be timely to look back at some fab costumes and props from 2014's festive episode, 'Last Christmas'.

Santa suit worn by Nick Frost and more costumes and props

from Doctor Who's Last Christmas

These original costumes and props, including Nick Frost's 'Santa Claus' suit and 'Ian' and 'Wolf' elf suits (worn by Dan Starkey and Nathan McMullen respectively), were photographed on display at the Doctor Who Experience exhibition in Cardiff Bay, Wales on April 20, 2015.